In the West Bengal assembly elections of 2026, the Indian National Congress secured a notable victory in the Farakka constituency. Congress candidate Motab Shaikh defeated the Bharatiya Janata Party's Sunil Chowdhuri by a margin of 8,193 votes. Shaikh garnered a total of 63,050 votes, while Chowdhuri received 54,857 votes.
Constituency Profile
Farakka is a general constituency located in the Murshidabad district of West Bengal. It is part of the Maldaha Dakshin Lok Sabha seat. The constituency encompasses the Farakka area, which is renowned for the Farakka Barrage, a massive dam on the Ganga River. This dam has been a longstanding subject of water-sharing disputes with Bangladesh. The region is predominantly rural, with a mixed electorate comprising Scheduled Castes and Muslims. Historically, Farakka has leaned towards the Congress party.
Historical Election Trends
In the 2016 assembly elections, Congress candidate Mainul Haque won the seat, defeating the Trinamool Congress candidate. However, in the 2021 elections, the Trinamool Congress managed to flip the seat, with Monirul Islam securing nearly 55 percent of the vote. For the 2026 elections, the Trinamool Congress fielded Amirul Islam, replacing the previous incumbent. The Congress party, represented by Md. Mahatab Sk, aimed to recapture a seat it had held a decade ago. Meanwhile, the BJP's Sunil Chowdhuri sought to consolidate the saffron vote in a constituency where the party had been a distant third in recent elections.
Significance of the Farakka Barrage
The geographic significance of the Farakka Barrage area plays a crucial role in shaping local political sentiment. Issues such as riverbank erosion and displacement of residents due to the barrage often influence voter behavior. The water-sharing controversy with Bangladesh also remains a sensitive topic, impacting the electorate's priorities.
This victory marks a significant resurgence for the Congress party in a region where it has historically performed well. The election results in Farakka reflect broader trends in West Bengal, where the political landscape continues to evolve with shifting alliances and voter preferences.
